Zyvox is used for treating adults with certain serious bacterial infections that are often resistant to other antibiotics. Zyvox is an oxazolidinone antibiotic. It works by interfering with the production of proteins needed by bacteria to grow.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use Zyvox as directed by your doctor.

Take Zyvox by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.

To clear up your infection completely, take Zyvox for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

If you miss a dose of Zyvox, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zyvox.

STORAGE

Store Zyvox at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zyvox out of the reach of children and away from pets.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zyvox may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

Zyvox may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zyvox with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Be sure to use Zyvox for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.

Long-term or repeated use of Zyvox may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.

Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.

Eating foods high in tyramine (eg, aged cheeses, red wines, beer, certain meats and sausages, liver, sour cream, soy sauce, raisins, bananas, avocados) while you use an MAOI may cause severe high blood pressure. This could occur for up to 2 weeks after you stop taking an MAOI. Do not eat foods high in tyramine while you take Zyvox. Ask your health care provider for a complete list of foods you should avoid. Seek medical attention at once if symptoms of severe high blood pressure occur. These may include severe headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, sore or stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sweating, enlarged pupils, or sensitivity to light.

Zyvox may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.

Zyvox only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).

Lactic acidosis has occurred with the use of Zyvox. Contact your doctor if you have severe, persistent nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Serious eye problems (eg, peripheral and optic neuropathy) have occurred with the use of Zyvox. Contact your doctor if you experience vision changes (eg, decreased or blurred vision, changes in color vision, loss of vision).

Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and eye exams, may be performed while you use Zyvox. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Zyvox should be used with extreme caution in children; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zyvox while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zyvox is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zyvox, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: